NEW DELHI : Janmashtami is one of the most awaited festivals in Sanatan Dharma. It annually falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of the Bhadrapada month. This year, the holy Janmashtami will fall on September 4, 2026.
On this day, devotees pay homage to Lord Krishna in his infant form and adorn Laddu Gopal with fancy clothes and ornaments. From a swing and cradle to a peacock feather, several items are offered during the worship. Here is the complete list of Janmashtami puja samagri and the puja vidhi.
Janmashtami puja samagri list
Shringar and clothing items
For decorating Laddu Gopal, devotees can keep a beautiful outfit, preferably in yellow or red. The shringar items include a crown, earrings, flute, Vaijayanti mala, peacock feather and flower garland.
- Laddu Gopal’s outfit (yellow or red)
- Crown and earrings
- Flute and Vaijayanti mala
- Peacock feather
- Flower garland
Abhishek and bathing items
Panchamrit is used for the abhishek of Lord Krishna. The ingredients required to prepare Panchamrit include raw cow’s milk, curd, pure ghee, honey and sugar. Gangajal and pure water are also kept for the bathing ritual.
- Plate for performing abhishek
- Panchamrit ingredients (raw cow’s milk, curd, pure ghee, honey and sugar)
- Gangajal and pure water
Puja and worship items
The main puja items include roli, whole rice grains or akshat, yellow sandalwood, incense sticks and a ghee lamp. Devotees can also keep camphor, matches and perfume for the worship.
- Roli
- Akshat (whole rice grains)
- Yellow sandalwood
- Dhoop and incense sticks
- Pure ghee lamp
- Akhand Jyoti
- Camphor
- Matches
- Perfume
- Bhog for Lord Krishna
Devotees prepare several traditional offerings for Bal Gopal on Janmashtami. Dhaniya panjiri is considered a main prasad for the festival, while makhan and mishri are offered as a favourite bhog for Bal Gopal. Panchamrit, seasonal fruits, makhane ki kheer and Tulsi leaves can also be included.
- Dhaniya panjiri
- Makhan and mishri
- Panchamrit
- Seasonal fruits and makhane ki kheer
- Tulsi leaves
Other Janmashtami puja samagri
Apart from the puja and shringar items, devotees can keep a swing for Lord Krishna, along with a conch and bell for the aarti. Other items include a bandanwar, tambool, standing coriander and Durva, coconut and Panch Pallav.
Panch Pallav consists of leaves of banyan, gular, peepal, mango and pakar trees.
- Swing for Lord Krishna
- Conch and bell
- Bandanwar
- Tambool (betel leaf with clove)
- Standing coriander and Durva
- Coconut
- Panch Pallav (banyan, gular, peepal, mango and pakar leaves)
Janmashtami puja vidhi
- On Janmashtami, first place a yellow cloth in the home temple and install the idol of Bal Gopal on it. Offer the swing, cradle, flute, peacock feather, flowers and other items to the deity.
- Dress Lord Krishna in yellow clothes and adorn him with a kundan or flower crown. A Tulsi mala can also be offered. Place Bal Gopal in the swing or cradle.
- At midnight, perform his abhishek with Panchamrit. After bathing the idol, adorn Laddu Gopal with the shringar items. Perform the puja with roli, akshat, incense, lamp, ghee and flowers.
- Offer Panchamrit, mishri, makhan, Tulsi leaves, fruits, coconut and dhaniya panjiri as bhog. Along with the worship, chant the mantra “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” 108 times.
- After this, perform the aarti and gently swing Laddu Gopal while ringing the conch and bell to celebrate Lord Krishna’s birth.
